Dame Helen
Metcalf has died on 1 December, following a long battle against cancer.
Dame Helen was the former Headteacher of Chiswick Community School from
1988 until she retired through ill health in 2001.

Dame Helen
was an outstanding Headteacher who was credited with turning the school
around and setting it on course for the successful school it is today.
Dame Helen was made a Dame in 1998 for her commitment to education and
her work at Chiswick.

Virginia
Shapiro, former Chair of Governors at Chiswick Community School, said,
“Helen Metcalf brought to Chiswick a rare mixture of personal warmth and
humour and professional skill and tough-mindedness. She transformed Chiswick
School by focussing on what happened in classrooms and providing clear
support for teachers and an exhilarating framework for those who wanted
to explore ways of improving their teaching.”

Jonathon
Bach, Headteacher of Chiswick Community School, said, "Dame Helen
is regarded as being the finest Headteacher that Chiswick ever had. Not
only did she turn the school into a successful, vibrant school but she
also set into place many measures to ensure that standards would rise
consistently and that students would have the opportunity to reach their
full potential. The legacy of Dame Helen's time at Chiswick is still very
strong and I am sure that it will stay strong well into the future."

Valerie Yates,
former Chair of Governors, said, “I found Helen to be a wonderfully kind
and warm person, inspirational within the school and for anyone who worked
with her. She became a good friend and was as courageous in battling her
illness as she was in bringing about the welcome changes at Chiswick.”

Colin Ellar,
Executive Member for Lifelong Learning, said, “I’m sure that parents,
teachers and former pupils will be very sad to hear of this news. Dame
Helen was a remarkable woman who made an enormous difference to the lives
of so many people in the borough. The success of Chiswick Community School
has in no small way been down to the commitment and dedication that Dame
Helen showed during her time in Chiswick. Many people will miss her very
much.”